Roundtable tackles businesses being more energy efficient

Saturday

Nov 24, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Liz Markhlevskayalmark@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — With the coldest winter months approaching, the Business Round Table discussion on Tuesday revolved around energy costs, and ways Public Service of New Hampshire can help businesses become more energy efficient.

The monthly Rounds Table discussions are open to all business owners and managers in the city, and provide a setting for an open dialogue between city officials and business owners.

Mark Toussaint, of energy efficiency services at PSNH, said he often works with small businesses in the Seacoast area to help them find ways to save on energy costs. He said PSNH can offer free energy audits to small businesses, and recommend new methods on making the property more energy efficient.

Toussaint also noted that making simple changes such as switching to LED lighting can make a difference in energy costs. Throughout the past year, Rochester has replaced all of its street lights to LED lighting, and while few, if any, have noticed a difference in quality, the city is seeing financial savings. According to PSNH, the new LED lights are expected to save the city more than $315,300 over the next 13 years, or $24,261 each year.

On Tuesday, Toussaint also brought business owners’ attention to the website, nhsaves.com, which provides a catalog of energy-saving items — anything from programmable thermostats; devices that automatically shut off lights and electronics; shower heads; and water conservation devices for toilets.

At the Round Table discussion, PSNH officials, city officials, and business owners discussed whether having a backup generator would be worth it for a small business.

Toussaint said that depends on where the business is located, and what type of business is being conducted. During a power outage, PSNH first focuses on restoring power to emergency shelters and fire and police stations, so businesses close to those areas are likely to wait less time than businesses located on the outskirts of the city.

If business owners cannot afford to have power lost for two days or so, they should consider buying a backup generator.

Planning Board member and newly-elected state Rep. James Gray said it would help for businesses to also consider whether they want power restored throughout the business during an outage, or just for certain appliances.

Jim Grant, director of the Building Safety Department, said that during the recent power outage no one could buy gas in Rochester, because none of the gas stations had backup generators.